A Heart That Knew No Bounds: Text and Reflection Questions

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harsh conditions, the spirit of generosity and good humor that marked this first group of young recruits never failed to shine through. The early brothers did not have an easy life materially. The deprivation they suffered, however, bound them one to another and caused them to share what little they had. It also kept them mindful of their need to live close to the circumstances of those they were called to serve. In February 1823, Marcellin learned that Brother Jean-Baptiste in another hamlet had come down with a serious illness. Concerned about his condition, the young priest set out on the twenty-kilometer journey across rough countryside to visit him. Brother Stanislaus was at his side. On their return trip, walking through heavily timbered territory, the two men were caught in the full fury of one of the region’s snowstorms. Both were young and energetic, but hours of wandering lost on the slopes of Mount Pilat led eventually to exhaustion. Stanislaus had reached the limits of his stamina. Night set in; the possibility of death in the snow increased with each passing hour. Both men turned to Mary for help and prayed the Memorare. Within a short while, they spied lamplight, not too far away in the distance. A local farmer, Mr. Donnet, had left his house to enter a nearby stable. This particular evening, though, he had taken an unusual route, especially with the storm underway. By habit, he entered the stable through a convenient door in the wall of the house. For reasons that can be explained only by faith, this particular night he braved wind and snow and chose a route that took him outdoors with his lantern. For the rest of his days, Marcellin saw his deliverance and that of Brother Stanislaus—henceforth referred to as the Memorare in the Snow—as an act of Providence. The episode that came to be known as the Memorare in the Snow opens another window on the man and his spirituality. What caused Marcellin to set out on his journey in the first place? Concern for a sick brother. The founder’s great love for the early brothers was one of his most memorable qualities. Marcellin’s world might have been small when compared to that of many people today. But there was nothing small about his heart. He lived a “practical Christianity”; love always translated itself into concrete action. A brother was sick; the founder set out to visit him. Whatever other reasons motivated the timing of his return journey, we can speculate that his sense of God’s presence and confidence in Mary and her protection caused him to undertake the trip where others might hesitate. His recourse to the Memorare in the face of danger was not the final effort of a dying
man. Marcellin was, by this time in his life, aware of God’s continual and powerful presence; Mary had also come through for him often enough that he counted on her protection without question. The Memorare in the Snow was simply an external manifestation of the much deeper spiritual reality of the man. When the Revolution of 1830 broke out, and soldiers invaded the Brothers’ home, the Hermitage, Champagnat turned again to Mary who came to his aid. From that point on, the community decided to start each day with the Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen), a practice retained by the Brothers to this day. Reflection Questions 5. The needs of others and their suffering often shape and transform us. How did both affect Marcellin’s character, outlook on life, and his spirituality? How did they work together to make him the person that he became? 6. How have the needs and sufferings of others shaped and transformed you made you the person that you are today? How have they moved you to take action for the gospel’s sake? There was nothing petty about Marcellin Champagnat. He had a passion for the gospel. It is not surprising, therefore, that obedience and love were the two virtues he recommended to his early followers. They are, after all, the foundation of community. Obedience is its mainstay; love binds all other virtues together and makes them perfect. Of this second, there was to be no limit. Marcellin loved his brothers; he expected no less from them, each one for the other. Throughout his life, the founder was fond of saying, “to bring up children properly, we must love them, and love them all equally”. The virtue of love, therefore, was to be not only the foundation of community but also of a distinctive Marist method of evangelization and education. It had been Mary’s way with Jesus; it was now to be the way of all who followed the dream that so captured the heart of this country priest and his early brothers. Shortly after Christmas in1825, Marcellin’s health began to fail and, as usual he turned to Mary and he regained sufficient health to continue directing the Brothers. When he completed his last will and testament, it included a summary of the spirituality of his “Little Brothers”. Practice the presence of God, he told them it is the soul of prayer, meditation, and all the virtues. Let humility and simplicity be the characteristics that distinguish you from others, and maintain always a spirit of poverty and detachment. Have a filial and tender devotion to Mary, he
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